Clayface takes viewers on a horror-themed journey into Gotham Metropolis, the place a hopeful actor named Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) will get reworked right into a deranged killer with shapeshifting skills gained by means of radical science. One of many largest reactions to Clayface has been the shock (if not backlash) at how the movie doesn’t really feel related to any bigger DC film franchise – be it Matt Reeves’ The Batman or James Gunn’s DC Universe of interconnected TV and movie tasks. That isn’t stopping anybody from having fun with the movie: Clayface received the field workplace on opening weekend and has already recouped its manufacturing funds by incomes $46.5 million.
Nonetheless, whereas it is vitally a lot a standalone story, Clayface does supply some bigger connections to Batman lore, together with just a few Easter egg references which might be largely meant for DC diehards.
“Feat of Clay”
It’s been no secret that Clayface has been largely impressed by Batman: The Animated Collection‘ two-part episode “Feat of Clay”, which launched the model of Matt Hagen/Clayface most individuals know now. The Clayface film has a number of Easter egg references to “Feat of Clay”, together with Matt Hagen working for “Imperial Footage,” a film studio from that episode, and the imagery of the laughing/crying theater masks, which was the title card for the episode.
There was additionally Dr. Caitlyn Corry’s (Naomi Ackie) mentioning that her companions took the residing clay analysis and used it to begin a magnificence firm. That’s a direct nod to “Feat of Clay”, whose origin story frames Matt Hagen as an actor hooked on a beauty cream known as “Renuyu,” which permits him to morph his facial options to cowl up a horrible disfigurement. Within the cartoon origin, gangsters attempt to drown Hagen in Renuyu, solely to have the experimental cream remodel him into the residing lump often known as “Clayface.”
“One Dangerous Day”
One other huge inspiration for the brand new Clayface film is the comedian Batman – One Dangerous Day: Clayface, the 2023 one-shot by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and artist Xermanico. The story re-imagines the very first Clayface, Basil Karlo, combining his authentic backstory as a deranged actor (and grasp of disguise) with Matt Hagen’s residing clay powers.
OBD: Clayface sees Karlo depart Gotham and attempt to resume his appearing profession in Hollywood below a brand new identification. Nonetheless, the shark-filled waters of Los Angeles and the movie trade rapidly make the supervillain “break character” and begin committing a grisly string of serial killings, changing whomever he must to advance his personal profession.
Thematically, Batman – One Dangerous Day: Clayface is correct consistent with the live-action model, and will get a number of Easter egg nods from the film – together with an in-universe movie known as “One Dangerous Day” that’s enjoying on the theater the place Matt Hagen has a premiere occasion. The movie’s subplot about Matt’s traitorous finest good friend and fellow actor, Corey Jameson, can also be a reference to OBD: Clayface, during which Basil Karlo kills and impersonates his good friend Corey to steal an enormous function.
“No Man’s Land”
The opposite film enjoying on the theater alongside One Dangerous Day is a film known as No Man’s Land, one other reference to Batman comedian books. In 1999, DC began an enormous crossover story arc in Batman comedian books, known as “No Man’s Land.” It noticed Gotham Metropolis rocked by an enormous Earthquake, adopted by the gritty metropolis being declared uninhabitable, or a “no man’s land.” Gotham is quarantined, with all bridges and entry factors reduce off; inside town, Batman tries to retain order as Gotham is split into totally different territories held by both gangs, supervillains, or different Bat-Members of the family and/or vigilantes. “No Man’s Land” stays a well-known Batman story, that influenced movies like Christopher Nolan’s The Darkish Knight Rises, and is even rumored to have impressed components of The Batman: Half II.
Gotham Metropolis Tour
We might not get to see a lot of Gotham Metropolis in Clayface, however some well-known metropolis areas do get Easter egg nods. That features Matt Hagen being from the impoverished space of Gotham often known as “The Narrows” (featured in Batman Begins); Matt being admitted to Gotham Central Hospital after his face is reduce up (the place Joker blew up in The Darkish Knight), and mob boss Markos Szabo’s “Membership Vesuvius” the place Matt massacres Szabo and his gang. Vesuvius was as soon as the hideout of Batman villain Firefly, and is a membership frequented by DC’s magician/sorceress Zatanna.
Coast Metropolis
Matt Hagen resides his finest life when his profession takes off he strikes from the poor facet of Gotham to Coast Metropolis, the place he shoots films for Imperial Footage and spends his days hanging by the pool together with his buddy Corey (Joshua James), and hooking up with lovely girls.
Coast Metropolis additionally occurs to be the house of Hal Jordan (Kyle Chander), the Inexperienced Lantern featured within the DC Universe and HBO hit sequence Lanterns. Humorous sufficient, the DC model of Hollywood seems largely the identical in Lanterns, however Clayface director James Watkins has already confirmed it’s a coincidence.
Creator Nods
As is the customized, some iconic DC comedian ebook creators get a head nod in Clayface. Batman co-creator Bob Kane will get a shoutout within the type of “Kane’s Sweet Retailer” being a neighborhood store Matt passes by. Matt Hagen’s crooked account Frank Fitzpatrick (Eddie Marsan) has his workplace situated within the “Moldoff Constructing,” a reference to iconic DC artist Sheldon “Shelly” Moldoff, one in all Kane’s early uncredited “ghost artists” on the Batman comedian. Moldoff co-created Batman villains Clayface, Scarecrow, and Mr. Freeze, in addition to Batman universe characters Batwoman (Katherine Kane), Bat-Woman (Bette Kane), and Bat-Mite.
Bruce Wayne
Whereas Batman doesn’t seem in Clayface in any respect, and even get talked about, the identical can’t be mentioned for Bruce Wayne. Throughout an early media montage about Matt Hagen’s rise to stardom, there’s a quick information clipping of Hagen and his actor buddy Corey being photographed collectively at a charity occasion for teenagers held on the Wayne Neighborhood Middle. If nothing helse, it’s a testomony to Batman utilizing different assets to assist Gotham.
The Joker
Similar to with Batman, Clayface makes use of areas in Gotham as its technique of signaling to followers that The Joker might be lively on this world, even when we don’t see him. Amusement Mile is the Gotham theme park that will get shut down and has as an alternative served as Joker’s base of operations in tales like The Killing Joke and The Darkish Knight Returns. It has additionally been an Easter egg in each Joker (the clown company Arthur Fleck works for) and the most important climactic set piece for Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
In Clayface, an indication for the doorway to Amusement Mile is seen in a shady facet avenue that Dr. Corr is hurridly strolling down to flee a mob goon stalking her.
Did you see some other Clayface Easter Eggs? Tell us within the feedback!